Nick as a Reliable Narrator
Many scholars and readers have questioned if Nick Carraway is truly a reliable narrator in The Great Gatsby. To know if Nick is a reliable narrator we must first understand the definition of reliability. Reliability is when a person, machine, or system is consistent and predictable. Reliability is questioned greatly in the novel, The Great Gatsby but F. Scott Fitzgerald. The story takes place in West Egg where Nick Carraway moves to, to learn about the bond business. He lives in the area inhabited by the new rich. His neighbour is a strange man named Jay Gatsby, who lives in huge mansion. Gatsby throws these enormous parties. Nick is cousins with Daisy, the love of Gatsby. When Gatsby left for the war Daisy married another man thinking that Gatsby had died on the front lines. Gatsby asks Nick to reintroduce him to Daisy. Gatsby attempts futilely to win back Daisy.
In the end Gatsby dies without being able to win back the love of his life and was left lonely with only Nick attending his funeral. To understand if Nick is a reliable narrator we must first grasp who Nick is and his characteristics. Nick is a man of strong morals, in the novel it is clear that Nick has been raised by a father that encouraged him to show respect and have high morals. Also Nick is adventures; he has no fear of relocating to satisfy his needs. Finally Nick is smart. With a well-rounded understanding of Nick's characteristics it will be clear for a reader to understand if Nick is a reliable narrator. To be reliable is to be predictable, so if the reader can know how Nick will react and change in certain circumstances then therefor he is reliable. There are...